LVIV, UKRAINE
The MTW Lviv team seeks to establish a church-planting church in this largest and most influential city of western Ukraine. This uniquely cross-cultural team, with members from America, Ukraine, and South Africa, is building relationships through hospitality-based ministries, including RUF Global, an English-language ministry, publishing, and mercy. Members of the church plant are also actively engaged in supporting and planting a church in Krakow, Poland.
Many people in this culture have a great nominal affinity for Christianity and are open to discussing God’s Word, so many of the team’s ministries are designed with this in mind. The team values a posture of learning and service toward the culture, history, and language of Lviv. Their main focus is on building relationships with Ukrainians through open homes and open lives.
They also provide a training environment for the next generation of missionaries by mentoring future missionaries through summer and longer-term internships. Their hope is that one day the surrounding western region will flourish with Ukrainian-speaking church plants, bringing the Word of God into people’s daily lives. Learn more about the work by visiting the team website.
MEET THE TEAM
Crews, Virginia
The Lord has called Virginia to serve in Lviv, Ukraine, with the local church plant and university ministry.
The Lord has called Virginia to serve in Lviv, Ukraine, with the local church plant and university ministry.
Hacquebord, Heero & Anya
The Hacquebords are helping plant and grow a vibrant church in western Ukraine.
The Hacquebords are helping plant and grow a vibrant church in western Ukraine.
Norton, Clarke & Khrystya
Clarke and Khrystya help the local church in Lviv, Ukraine through through home-based hospitality and pastoral and counseling gifts.
Clarke and Khrystya help the local church in Lviv, Ukraine through through home-based hospitality and pastoral and...
Powell, Jonathan & Olya
Together, they have a passion for seeing young people in Lviv come to know and love Jesus.
Together, they have a passion for seeing young people in Lviv come to know and love Jesus.
Shepherd, Doug & Masha
Doug and Masha are helping plant new churches in the western region of Ukraine beginning with Lviv.
Doug and Masha are helping plant new churches in the western region of Ukraine beginning with Lviv.
Sheppard, Andrew
Andrew will soon return to Lviv, Ukraine to disciple and mentor university students.
Andrew will soon return to Lviv, Ukraine to disciple and mentor university students.
GET INVOLVED
Trusting God in War-Torn Ukraine
Amidst the dangers of the Russo-Ukrainian war, the light of Christ shines through.
SEE MOREStory Shorts: Japan & Ukraine
A Japanese woman finds hope amid brokenness, and Ukrainian students familiar with war consider the reality of Christ's sacrifice.
SEE MORE"One Day" With Jon Eide in Ukraine (VIDEO)
Follow Country Director Jon Eide on a 50-hour journey from the U.S. to Kyiv, Ukraine, to encourage the Presbyterian Church in Ukraine.
SEE MOREContinue to Pray for Ukraine (VIDEO)
It's been two years since Russia's escalated invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian church need our prayers.
SEE MORECrates for Ukraine 3.0: Calling All Churches, Youth Groups, and Galvanizers (VIDEO)
MTW Ukraine is getting more requests for med kits, vitamins, and winter wear right now than any other time in the war. Will you help again?
SEE MORE30 Years of Grace in Ukraine: The Backstory on a Country That's on Every Front Page
The story of MTW Ukraine is a story of how Christ continues to build His Church through many successes and setbacks.
SEE MOREWe're In This Together: A Crates for Ukraine Update
Over 250 churches came together to pack and send more than 1,200 relief crates to Ukrainians in need.
SEE MOREAn Opportunity For the Ukrainian Church (VIDEO)
The Church has this unique moment to minister right where people are broken and vulnerable, offering them a stable hope that cannot change.
SEE MOREThe Ukraine Crisis Has Been an Opportunity for the Church to Act as One (VIDEO)
"Brothers and sisters, it was incredible. This is one of the strongest testimonies throughout this time. I have seen the Church act as one."
SEE MOREVasyl and Viktoria: Twice Displaced by War (VIDEO)
When war broke out in Ukraine, Vasyl and Viktoria fled west to Lviv, where they found not only a respite, but a new place to serve others.
SEE MOREThank You for Helping Ukraine! (VIDEO)
The church has been so generous to come alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine. Thank you for all you've made possible.
SEE MOREDasha: A Life Transformed and Faith Renewed in Ukraine (VIDEO)
After two months sheltering in a school, Dasha yearned to hear silence, to see friends, to walk—not run—on the street, to read the Bible.
SEE MOREMTW Ukraine Team and Church Leaders Care for the Community in Crisis (VIDEO)
From the start of the war, MTW Ukraine missionaries and church leaders stepped into action to respond and care for those around them.
SEE MORECrates for Ukraine: Meeting Needs in a Meaningful Way
MTW missionaries hope a new initiative for churches to fill crates and fly them to Poland will solve several challenges and streamline aid.
SEE MOREThe Stakes Are High for Ukrainians Praying for Peace
These are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We must stand with them. They are looking at the prospect of losing their freedom to worship.
SEE MORELight Shines in the Darkness in Ukraine
Churches and believers in Ukraine and in neighboring countries have been able to show extraordinary hospitality amid the darkness of war.
SEE MOREFleeing Ukraine in Photos
MTW Ukraine missionary Bob Burnham snapped photos during his exodus from Odesa at the outbreak of the war, documenting his journey.
SEE MOREHow Pastors Are Ministering in Ukrainian Cities Under Attack
We spoke with two Ukrainian pastors who minister to churches in two cities where there has been intense bombing.
SEE MOREBroken Reeds and Smoldering Wicks: Isaiah Provides a Perspective on the War in Ukraine
Isaiah reminds us how God gets His will done in dark places, and offers wisdom for believers ministering in the Ukraine crisis.
SEE MOREMinistry in a Time of War: How Missionaries and Pastors Are Coping With the Unimaginable
The crisis has forced many Ukrainian Christians to make heart-wrenching decisions while trying to come to grips with their new reality.
SEE MOREStairway to Missions: Kirk Norris’ Journey From Intern to Career Missionary in Ukraine
Many become career missionaries via an incremental journey of discernment, beginning their journey as interns. Kirk Norris is one example.
SEE MOREBuilding the Church Planter’s Toolbox: The Long-Term Impact of Ukraine’s Publishing Ministry
MTW’s publishing ministry in Lviv, now with over 250 Reformed resources, is equipping a generation of Ukrainian church planters.
SEE MOREChurch Planting With Team L'viv (VIDEO)
One of the challenges in L’viv is that most people have a certain respect for the Church, but don’t read the Bible themselves.
SEE MOREA Summer Internship Reveals a Surprise Call to Missions
What did I know about Ukraine? I knew it's near Russia and it’s cold. Still I found myself emailing the team leader for more information.
SEE MOREGrowing in the Greenhouse: My Summer in Ukraine
Kristin Newman paints a picture of her summer in “The Greenhouse,” a cross-cultural missionary training and mentorship program in L’viv.
SEE MOREThe Gracious Break: A Life Transformed in Ukraine (Video)
A broken foot at just the right time altered the trajectory of a young woman's life in L'viv, Ukraine.
SEE MOREMy Calling to Ukraine: A Video
At 20 Doug Shepherd understood the gospel, but didn't know if he was fit to serve. Watch as he shares how he came to recognize God's call.
SEE MORETransformed by the Gospel in Ukraine: A Video
Missionary Masha Shepherd is a Ukrainian who came to Christ in college, a decision that had a significant impact on her mother, Olena.
SEE MORESpontaneous Love: Ukrainian Church Plant Reaches Out to Refugees
When disabled and elderly refugees from eastern Ukraine were forced to flee, a local Presbyterian church embraced them like family.
SEE MOREThey All Have First Names
As refugees flood into European countries where we minister, we are learning how to love them as Christ does.
SEE MOREFinding Jesus in Ukraine: My Journey from Atheist to Missionary
I grew up in a typical Soviet atheist family, not thinking about God and faith. Then one summer I met real Christians for the first time.
SEE MOREGoliath Must Fall: Two Gospel Stories
In a hard-to-reach, largely atheistic European city, these stories declare the gospel to be "the power of God unto salvation."
SEE MOREThe Crisis in Ukraine
The political situation unfolding across Ukraine is impacting the lives of missionaries and could have implications for future ministry.
SEE MOREThe Remarkable Influence of Believers in Ukraine
With much thanksgiving, I write to confirm that God is answering prayers for Ukraine in marvelous ways.
SEE MORELooking After Souls
Robin teared up as she shared her frustrations. Alyona reached out her hand and said, "But you have talent. You look after souls."
SEE MOREPray for the 15 Ukrainian churches planted with support from MTW, as many pastors and congregations still face very-real dangers amidst the war with Russia.
Pray for Kharkiv Presbyterian Church in eastern Ukraine. Amid constant fighting, the church remains strong and retains a deep commitment to care for its community.
Give thanks for those God is drawing to Himself around the world, particularly a Japanese who feared she was too broken to be fixed, and several Ukrainian students who are exploring faith in Christ.
Please pray for the Crates for Ukraine 3.0 effort, and for the med kits, tourniquets, vitamins, winter wear, and other critical supplies to meet the physical needs of Ukrainians in the areas that need it most.
Pray against rape, murder, and capture of men, women, and children in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Pray for protection for the vulnerable.
Give thanks for and pray for the Krakow crisis team, the distribution of aid, and the shelter ministry as the team cares for displaced Ukrainians.
Pray for courage for Christ’s followers in and around Ukraine. mtw.org/ukraine-crisis
Pray for families who have evacuated, leaving behind the only place they have ever known. Pray for transition and provision.
Pray for pastors who have stayed behind in Ukraine as they minister to their congregations and the surrounding communities in a time of war.
Pray for the health, rest, and ability to continue for those who are working with and making arrangements for refugees. It can feel like the future of each one of them is in your hands. mtw.org/ukraine-crisis
Pray that our brothers and sisters who have lost everything will cling to the community of believers and ultimate hope in Christ, and for the massive movement of people and the refugee work our teams are involved in focusing on Lviv and Krakow. mtw.org/ukraine-crisis
Pray for our Ukraine team's preparations to care for refugees. We have a full response in the city of Lviv, and as the refugee crisis expands, so will our response. mtw.org/ukraine-crisis
Pray for Ukraine to trust what is not changeable and to hope in what cannot be lost. May the Church in Ukraine be strengthened through this war. mtw.org/ukraine-crisis
Pray for the church-planting team in L'viv, Ukraine, and the Ukrainians they serve.
Pray for Ukrainian refugees who are being welcomed by the church in Belgorod to be drawn to Christ.
Pray for MTW's ministry to refugees in Greece, Germany, Ukraine, Uganda, Panama, and the U.S.
Pray for teams teaching English (ESL) as a part of their ministry and for the students who attend English classes/camp.
Thank God for bringing Ukrainians to faith in Him and giving them the vision to reach their own country for Christ. Pray for many more to be transformed.
Pray for two women, Monika and Andrea, who have recently come to faith against the odds in a hard-to-reach, largely atheistic European city.
Pray for Monika, that God would continue to heal her, give her a new purpose, and protect her life from physical harm, and for Andrea, that she would grow deep roots of faith and be a witness to those like her—unlikely subjects—of the reality of the grace of God.
Pray for the safety of believers in Ukraine. Pray for God to use the crisis to strengthen their faith and bring more Ukrainians to Christ.
Pray for believers in Ukraine during a time of political uncertainty.
Give thanks to God for believers in Ukraine who are standing strong and joining together across denominations for prayer.
At the request of the Ukrainian Church and our national partners, to provide humanitarian aid from the hands of churches in the U.S. to the hands of churches and displaced communities in Ukraine.
Help the church of Ukraine get relief during the war and rebuild in the future.
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